Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 500/20

ORDERS FOR CONTAINMENT AREAS

Due to the detection of positive COVlD-19 cases in Oakland Municipality quarters, Rauf Ahmed Building, Keating Road, Jhalupara, Mawbah Barapathar, Mawlai Umjaiur, Mawlai Nongpdeng, Mawlai Mawtawar, Umshing Umjapung, Mawiong Rim, Central to Lower Nongrim Hills from Lailad to Bamon Service Station, Block D of Nongrimmaw (areas situated on left side of Arbuthnot Road from Lailad upto old DGAR), Lower Lummawrie (from building of Dr.P.K. War till old Super Care building), Lower Lachumiere (Hopkinson Road from Stephen Hall to Gold Gym), Demseiniong (Assam Rifles Signal Unit), Nongrah Dongktieh, Malki Nongshiliang, Malki Chinapatty, Nongmensong Lumkdait, Lumshyiap Nongmensong, Laitkor Pyllun and Kreit Mawshaton due to recent high risk and low risk contact with COVID-19 positive cases and because vulnerable and affected areas require aggressive contact tracing, quarantine, testing and isolation as well as containment in the interest of the health of the general public against any possible spread of COVID-19, the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District in orders issued on 24th July, 2020 has declared the above mentioned areas as containment areas so as to restrict unregulated entry and exit movement on site.

The order states that no person and public are allowed to move into these containment areas and inhabitants within the containment areas also not allowed to move out, besides, all inhabitants within the containment areas must strictly remain inside their homes. Gatherings, events, functions whatsoever of any nature and forms including social, political, religious, economic activities are not allowed. All shopping establishments of whatsoever nature are to close immediately, however, supply of essential and medical requirements will be ensured through various teams formed by the District Administration. All Government and private institutions located within the boundary of the containment area to close forthwith, till further orders.

According to the order, the Incident Commanders will be the Supervising Officers of these Containment areas and Block Development Officer of Mawphlang C & RD Block will be the Supervising Officer of Kreit Mawshaton. This order will not apply to health workers and essential workers of Shillong Municipal Board. The order also states that any violation of the order will entail prosecution under the penal provision of Disaster Management Act, 2005 and I.P.C.

Press Release No. 501/20

CURFEW PROMULGATED IN SHILLONG AGGLOMERATION

In view of the prevailing situation concerning COVID-19 pandemic in the district, state, country and globally and to put in place preventive and mitigation measures, to identify and take more stringent steps including rigorous contact tracing, testing, quarantine and isolation and any other forms of containment in the interest of health of general public against any possible spread of COVID-19 in Shillong and East Khasi Hills District, by way of ensuring due compliance and observance of strict norms and protocols of the advisories and standard operation procedures issued by the Government, the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District in an order issued on 24th July, 2020 under Section 144 CrPC read together with regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020 has promulgated total curfew in all of Shillong Urban agglomeration and its adjoining areas with effect from midnight of 26th July, 2020 till midnight of 29th July, 2020. The areas to be under curfew are whole of Municipal area, whole of Cantonment area, all areas under Mawlai and Mawpat Blocks and their census towns, areas under Mylliem Block from Umshyrpi bridge upto 7 mile Upper Shillong, Madanrting, Mawblei, Laitkor, Nongkseh, Umlyngka, Lawsohtun and Mawdiangdiang. The order will not apply to police, armed and security forces, medical teams on duty and hospital, wholesale and retail pharmacies, Fire and Emergency Service, MeECL, NEEPCO and Power Grid, Food and Civil Supplies, PWD and PHE Departments, FCI, Shillong Municipal Board, Telecom, Communications and IT Services, Press, Print and Electronic Media, Petrol Pumps, Indian Oil Corporation. LPG deliveries and 1917 Iteams PMU.

However, all exemption granted to official and non official emergency and essential services, establishment and agencies shall not extend to Frontier Headquarters BSF Campus, Umpling, Block – II of Lumpyngngad, Nongrah Dongktieh, Block D of Nongrimmaw (areas situated on left side of Arbuthnot Road from Lailad upto old DGAR), Lower Lachumiere (Hopkinson Road from Stephen Hall to Gold Gym), Lower Lummawrie (from building of Dr.P.K. War till old Super Care building), Assam Rifles Signal Unit Campus, Demseiniong, Central to Lower Nongrim Hills from Lailad to Bamon Service Station, Nongmynsong Lumkdait, Malki Chinapatty, Malki Nongshiliang, Rauf Ahmed Building Keating Road, Jhalupara, Lumshyiap Nongmynsong, Mawlai Umjaiur, Laitkor Pyllun, Mawlai Nongpdeng, Umshing Umjapung, Mawiong Rim, Mawbah Barapathar and Oakland Municipality quarters which is a declared a containment areas with its own separate measures as issued earlier. According to the order, movement of vehicles carrying essential commodities, security forces, medical equipments and good vehicles are also exempted but drivers and attendants of the vehicles will be subjected to medical screening as per laid down protocols.

It may be mentioned here that in an order issued on 25th July, 2020, the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills has exempted the office of the Director of Information and Public Relations, Shillong located at Lower Lachumiere from the containment order. Curfew passes can be obtained via online application at www.eastkhasihills.gov.in

Press Release No. 502/20

ORDER

The District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District in an order issued on 25th July, 2020 under Section 144 CrPC read together with regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020 has exempted press, electronic and print media from the purview of the containment order issued earlier. However, press, electronic and print media are advised to strictly follow all protocols of Government in the Health and Family Welfare Department.

Press Release No. 503/20

ORDERS FOR CONTAINMENT AREAS

Due to the detection of positive COVlD-19 cases in Nongsohphoh, Upper Mawprem, Block II, Golflink Khliehshnong, house of Smti Gentina Lyngdoh, Golflink Mawpun, Maxwelton estate starting from Harrison bridge from right side road going to Rilbong up to Meghna Marak building opposite Arts and Culture building, left side Captain Clifford road upto J N Bawri house and Mawpat Block I & III and due to recent high risk and low risk contact with COVID-19 positive cases and because vulnerable and affected areas require aggressive contact tracing, quarantine, testing and isolation as well as containment in the interest of the health of the general public against any possible spread of COVID-19, the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District in orders issued on 25th July, 2020 has declared the above mentioned areas as containment areas so as to restrict unregulated entry and exit movement on site. The order states that no person and public are allowed to move into these containment areas and inhabitants within the containment areas also not allowed to move out, besides, all inhabitants within the containment areas must strictly remain inside their homes. Gatherings, events, functions whatsoever of any nature and forms including social, political, religious, economic activities are not allowed.

All shopping establishments shall be closed immediately and supply of essential and medical requirements for purchase will be ensured through various teams formed by the District Administration. All Government and private institutions located within the boundary of the containment area to close forthwith, till further orders. According to the order, the concerned Incident Commanders will be the Supervising Officers of these Containment areas. The order, however, will not apply to health workers and essential workers of Shillong Municipal Board, press including electronic and print media and petrol pump. The order also states that any violation of the order will entail prosecution under the penal provision of Disaster Management Act, 2005 and I.P.C.

Press Release No. 504/20

NIGHT CURFEW PROMULGATED IN RURAL AREAS OF EAST KHASI HILLS

In view of the prevailing situation concerning COVID-19 in the state, country and globally and to put in place preventive and mitigation measures, to identify and take more stringent steps so the pandemic of COVID-19 is contained, reduced and eliminated in East Khasi Hills District and Meghalaya by way of ensuring observance of strict protocols of the advisories issued by the Government of Meghalaya in the Health and Family Welfare Department, the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District in an order issued on 25th July, 2020 under Section 144 CrPC read together with Regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020 has promulgated night curfew in rural areas of East Khasi Hills District with effect from 27th July, 2020 upto 3rd August, 2020 only for timings falling between 09:00 PM to 5:00 AM each day. The District Magistrate said that the order will not apply to Shillong urban agglomeration, all census towns areas under Mawlai and Mawpat Blocks, areas under Mylliem Block from Umshyrpi bridge upto 7 mile Upper Shillong, Madanrting, Mawblei, Laitkor, Nongkseh, Umlyngka, Lawsohtun and Mawdiangdiang. The order will not apply to police, armed and security forces, Medical Teams on duty, Wholesale and Retail Pharmacies, Fire and Emergency Service, MeECL, NEEPCO and Power Grid, Food and Civil Supplies Department, FCI, PWD, PHE, Shillong Municipal Board, Postal Service, Telecom, Communications and IT Services, Press, Print and Electronic Media, Petrol Pumps including Indian Oil Corporation, essential services including Health Services, hospitals, clinics, dispensaries, veterinary clinics, labs, authorized workshops and designated spare parts dealerships of Health & Family Welfare Department and Government officials on duty. These services must strictly comply with all protocols and procedures including social distancing, limiting of field staff to the barest minimum and other advisories of Government in the Health and Family Welfare Department, without fail.

Movement of vehicles carrying essential goods, security forces, medical equipments and shops for repair of trucks on highways are also exempted. However, drivers and attendants of the vehicles shall be subject to medical screening as per laid down protocols. However, all exemption granted to official and non official emergency, essential services, establishments and agencies shall not extend to Mawlai Mawtawar and Kreit Mawshaton village which were declared containment areas with their own separate measures as issued earlier. Curfew passes for timings falling between 09:00 PM to 5:00 AM with effect from 27th July, 2020 upto 3rd August, 2020 can be obtained via online application at www.eastkhasihills.gov.in.

Press Release No. 505/20

PROHIBITORY ORDER IN RURAL AREAS OF EAST KHASI HILLS

In view of the prevailing situation concerning COVID-19 in the state, country and globally and to put in place preventive measures and awareness, to identify and take more stringent steps to ensure social distancing so the pandemic of COVID-19 is contained, reduced and eliminated in East Khasi Hills District and Meghalaya by way of ensuring observance of strict protocols of the advisories issued by the Government of Meghalaya in the Health and Family Welfare Department, the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District in an order issued on 25th July, 2020 under Section 144 CrPC read together with Regulation 3 of the Meghalaya Epidemic Diseases, COVID-19 Regulations, 2020 has prohibited inter-state movement, any assembly whatsoever and while enforcing this every individual to mandatorily maintain social distancing of at least six feet, wearing of masks, respiratory etiquette and to strictly follow the various protocols and advisories of the Government in the Health and Family Welfare Department at all times, without fail in rural areas of East Khasi Hills District with effect from 27th July, 2020 upto 3rd August, 2020 only for timings falling between 5:00 AM to 09:00 PM each day. The order also prohibits operation of unregulated major markets and unregulated shopping complexes, border haats and markets located the inter-state borders, operation of all cinema halls, gymnasium, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditorium, assembly halls and similar recreational places, all forms of contact sports and spectators in sport grounds and stadia, operation of educational institutions, training centres and coaching classes (tuitions) barring online and distance learning, opening of religious places and places of worship of all faiths to the public including religious gatherings and congregation. However, marriage rituals in places of worship is permitted only after due permission is obtained from the District Magistrate. The order also prohibited all forms of large public gathering and congregation including social, political, entertainment, academic, cultural, religious function etc, moving in public, work places and during transport without a mask, spitting in public places and consumption of liquor, paan, gutka, tobacco etc in public places, operation of cyber cafe, gaming parlours, jackpot parlours and lottery counter. Further, the order prohibits incoming additional workforce from outside the District except for skilled, highly skilled, specialized professionals and technicians regulated by standard operating procedures and order of the Labour and Health and Family Welfare Departments, Meghalaya as notified and issued earlier by the respective departments, but due permission with undertaking needs to be taken from the District Magistrate’s office. However, exemption granted for incoming skilled, highly skilled, specialized professionals and technicians will remain suspended w.e.f midnight of 23rd July, 2020 to midnight of 31st July, 2020. The general instruction of the order also states that the order will not apply to Shillong urban agglomeration, all census towns areas under Mawlai and Mawpat Blocks, areas under Mylliem Block from Umshyrpi bridge upto 7 mile Upper Shillong, Madanrting, Mawblei, Laitkor, Nongkseh, Umlyngka, Lawsohtun and Mawdiangdiang.

In addition, the public must comply without fail to the measures imposed for Mawlai Mawtawar and Kreit Mawshaton village which were declared as containment areas in orders issued earlier. The general instruction also states that individual must maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet or 2 metres in public places. Wedding ceremonies will be allowed in religious places/places of worship and the number of guests shall not exceed one-third of the seating capacity or 50 guests, whichever is less inclusive of the host and the Authority/s presiding over the wedding. However, wedding receptions are suspended till further orders. For funeral and last rites related gatherings, the number of guests must not exceed 20. Persons above 65 years of age, person with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years are advised to stay at home except for meeting essential requirements and for health purposes. Operation of supply chains, wholesalers, retail outlets, shops, services and other establishments in rural areas of East Khasi Hills District will be regulated as per scheduled timings and dates which will be released in advance from time to time by the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District.

Also, the operation of permitted shops, services, establishment, agricultural, industrial and commercial activities must strictly adhere to the prescribed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and national directives of Government for COVID-19 Management in Public Places and Work Places including mandatory compliance the advisories of Health and Family Welfare Department, without fail and also to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) pertaining to offices, both public and private, as issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Employers of all forms of activities including shops, services, establishments, agricultural, industrial, etc, must ensure that Aarogya Setu Application and behavioural change management app are installed by all their employees having compatible mobile phones, without fail. All residents of the District are to install Aarogya Setu Application and behavioural change management app on compatible mobile phones and to regularly update their health status on the app for containment of COVID-19 pandemic. The designated Sub-Divisional Officer (C) Sohra and Pynursla Civil Sub-Divisions, Block Development Officers and District Heads of Office located in rural areas of East Khasi Hills will issue vehicle passes only to their respective officers and staff specifically for official purposes and they should ensure that these passes are utilized strictly for official purpose only and any deviation will render the Issuing Authority and the employee, staff, pass holder liable to legal action. The order also stated that the name, address, contact details, timings and purpose of the pass are to be clearly reflected. However, passes for all forms of outward inter-state movement from East Khasi Hills District will only be issued by the District Magistrate, East Khasi Hills District.

Press Release No. 506/20

ORDER FOR OPENING OF SHOPS IN RURAL AREAS OF EAST KHASI HILLS

The Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District in an order issued on 25th July, 2020 has informed that all shops operating from fixed premises will open daily from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. in rural areas of East Khasi Hills District including Civil Sub Divisions of Sohra and Pynursla and in all CRD Blocks. However, cyber cafe, gaming parlours, jackpot parlours and lottery counters shall remain closed till further orders. However, this order will not apply to Shillong Urban Agglomeration, all census towns areas under Mawlai and Mawpat Blocks, areas under Mylliem Block from Umshyrpi bridge upto 7 mile Upper Shillong, Madanrting, Mawblei, Laitkor, Nongkseh, Umlyngka, Lawsohtun and Mawdiangdiang. This order also will not apply to Mawlai Mawtawar and Kreit Mawshaton village which were declared as containment areas in orders issued earlier. According to the order, alternate shops on rotation basis will open in shopping malls and complexes and they have to strictly follow the standard operating procedures on preventive measures in shopping malls to contain the spread of COVID-19 as issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Department, Government of India without fail. The order added that gaming arcades, children play area and cinema hall inside shopping complexes and malls will remain close. The owners of the shopping malls and complexes and the respective shopkeepers shall strictly adhere to the alternative opening of shops on rotation basis and they shall also compulsorily comply to standard operating procedures of Government and instructions from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District failing which the concerned shop or the shopping mall and complex will be closed down to be followed by legal action. No loitering is allowed in the shopping mall, complex and only customers shall enter to make purchase and exit immediately thereafter without fail and the SDO (Civil) of Pynursla and Sohra Civil Sub Divisions, Block Development Officers, police, headman, owner of shopping mall or complex and respective shopkeepers will decide on the alternate opening of shops on rotation basis.

Restaurant, cafe and food outlets excluding those that are located along national highway will open daily in Sohra and Pynursla Civil Sub Divisions and in all the C & RD Blocks and they must operate in strict compliance to the standard operating procedures issued by the Government of Meghalaya in Tourism Department and also to the standard operating procedures on preventive measures in restaurant to contain spread of COVID-19 as issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. However, operation of restaurants, cafés, food outlets and tea stalls along national highway is strictly for home delivery and take away service. Home delivery and takeaway service is allowed till 10:00 PM. Operation of barber shops, beauty parlours and saloons must be in strict compliance to the standard operating procedures of health protocol for saloons and beauty parlours as issued by the Government of Meghalaya in Health and Family Welfare Department. Identified weekly markets except border haats and markets located in the inter-state border are permitted to open in East Khasi Hills District subject to strict compliance with the standard operating procedures issued recently by the Government of Meghalaya in the Health and Family Welfare Department. Hotels are permitted to resume operation with effect from 1st July, 2020 subject to strict compliance to the standard operating procedures issued by the Government of Meghalaya in Tourism Department and standard operating procedures on preventive measures in hotels and other hospitality units to contain spread of COVID-19 as issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Due permission is to be strictly obtained, without fail from the office of the Deputy Commissioner for resumption of these operation. Pharmacies, clinics, labs, veterinary clinics, dispensary, petrol pumps, home delivery and takeaway of food, mobile car repairing service consisting of two technicians and mechanics, courier services and e-commerce operation for all goods and Common Service Centres, services provided by self-employed persons, eg., electrician, IT repairs, plumbers, motor mechanics and carpenters are allowed to open and operate.

undertaking needs to be submitted to the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District. For incoming skilled workforce, highly skilled and professionals, the order stated that employer should follow standard operating procedures and orders of Labour and Health and Family Welfare Departments, Government of Meghalaya and due permission with undertaking needs to be taken from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills. Entry of incoming skilled workforce, highly skilled and professionals into East Khasi Hills via all entry points of the state is suspended with effect from midnight of 23rd July, 2020 upto midnight of 31st July, 2020. Private offices establishments with 33 percent employee-strength are allowed to open. They must obtain permission and submit an undertaking to the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District and to mandatorily comply to the national directives and standard operating procedures of Government of India for COVID-19 Management and to all advisories of Health and Family Welfare Department. In addition, they must strictly follow the standard operating procedures on preventive measures to contain spread of COVID-19 in office and work place as issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, without fail. The operation of notified weighbridges to facilitate checking of loaded vehicles are allowed. However, they must obtain permission and submit an undertaking to the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District.

Border trade with Bangladesh through Land Customs Stations is permitted subject to strict compliance of the standard operating procedures being issued by the State Government in the Commerce and Industry Department. However, trade through border haat is not permitted. Non-contact sports excluding gymnasium in strict compliance to standard operating procedures for non-contact and indirect-contact sporting activities issued by the Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Government of Meghalaya are allowed. However, they must obtain permission and submit an undertaking to the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District. 50 percent of private and public transport will operate only in rural areas of East Khasi Hills District as per orders notified earlier and inter-district movement of persons is permitted in rural areas. However, inter-state movement of persons will continue to be restricted. In addition, the order states that food processing units including rice mills and mustard oil processing in rural areas outside municipalities, brick kilns in rural areas outside municipalities, industrial units, cement plants will operate at 100 percent capacity, mining of limestone and boulder by lease-holder for domestic sale in the state or country and export outside the country is permitted only through automated, elevated conveyor belt with no human intervention are allowed to operate daily but they have to submit undertaking to the Deputy Commissioner. Also, quarrying of chips and aggregates including their transportation, all agriculture and allied sectors activities like farming operations including livestock farming, poultry, fishery and hatcheries, collection, processing and distribution of milk and milk products, mandis by AMPC, procurement and marketing of agricultural produce, Custom Hiring Centres, cold storage and warehouses, manufacturing, packaging and distribution of agriculture inputs, seed, animal feed and fodder, movement of harvesting and sowing related machines and implements, operation of tea industry including plantation for production, processing, packaging and marketing, transportation of all agricultural products, MGNREGA works with strict implementation of social distancing and face mask are allowed to open and operate daily after they have submitted undertakings to the office of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills District. Operation of permitted establishments, services, agricultural, industrial and commercial activities in both urban and rural areas must strictly adhere to the prescribed standard operation procedures of the Government and mandatory compliance to the Advisories of Health and Family Welfare Department without fail.

The local Headmen (Rangbah Shnong) in coordination with BDOs and Police will regulate the operation of the shops, services and commercial establishments in their respective localities and villages and also to ensure due compliance to the advisories of Government in the Health & Family Welfare Department with special and strict reference to social distancing concerning the COVID-19 situation. The Deputy Commissioner also requested the public to strictly maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet, not to overcrowd in one area or shop, shopkeepers and costumers shall mandatorily wear masks and non compliance will entail action of closure of the shops concerned, not to spit in public places and to cooperate with the management made by the District Administration, District Police and Headman.